Sanchez Mira, Cagayan – Two Red Sea Sharks, also known as Wedgefish, were recovered from local fishermen in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan, as reported by Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region 2 (DA-BFAR 2).
In an interview, Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement officer Chrushev De Peralta relayed that they confiscated two sharks weighing 40 kilograms each. The other shark, however, was already butchered when the team took it from the fishermen.
“Yung isa butchered na siya but yung isa is buo kaso di siya ma-itransport kasi masyado malaki kaya hinati nadin lang at para magkasya sa freezer ng LGU Sanchez before the investigation,” said the officer.
Officer De Peralta further narrated the two sharks have an estimated market value of P6,000, adding that the recovered fish meat was immediately disposed by the department and Local Government Unit of Sanchez Mira.
Law enforcement officers of the DA-BFAR 2 together with Sanchez Mira, Cagayan LGU apprehended the local fishermen who were fishing along the municipal water in Barangay Marzan of said municipality on August 16, 2022 for allegedly selling endangered fish species.
The team claimed that in order to catch the restricted species, the fishermen employed a long line or fishing gear locally known as ‘patilmon’. ‘Patilmon’ is a fishing gear that is used to catch bottom-dwelling fishes such as sharks and rays.
Wedgefish species, based on reports, is the third most threatened family of shark fishes globally because of its high value fins in the international market.
DA-BFAR 2 reported that the violators used a fishing boat with a marking of F/b BALONG was owned by Marlon Trisinio, resident in Macanaya, Aparri, Cagayan.
The Fishermen shall be charged for violating Sections 86 of the Republic Act 10654 b stating it is illegal for anybody to participate in any commercial fishing activity in municipal waters without being listed on the municipal fisherfolk registration. They will likewise be charged for breaking CITES Appendix II and III Section 102(b) which prohibits fishing or taking rare, threatened, or endangered species.
Said violators were given 5 days to settle their administrative compromises.
Violators of Sections 86 and 102 have to pay an administrative fine of P5,000 and P300,000 to 3 million pesos, as stated in the Fisheries Code.
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